Paper Puts Pep in Collagen Peptide Canisters

It’s the first significant packaging change in its 10-plus year history: Vital Proteins, a Nestlé Health Science brand, is transitioning its collagen peptides from a plastic canister with a tamper-resistant, continuous-thread closure to a paperboard canister by 2026—a move that will reduce more than 90% of plastic (equivalent to almost 4 million pounds) across the company’s entire canister offerings.

The 80% paperboard canister came about as a result of consumer demand for packaging that prioritizes sustainability. Fibers are sourced from forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, and the new canisters are designed to be curbside recyclable, with How2Recycle instructions on the new packaging.

The new design features a patented pull-tab lid that opens for daily scooping and closes tightly when done. To maintain the same product freshness, the paper-based tub underwent extensive stability testing. Additionally, the canister was designed to be splash-proof and moisture-resistant and features a waterproof inside polymer layer and an outside water-based, water-resistant varnish.

Packaging Digest contacted the brand to learn more about the sustainability and performance benefits as well as the challenges of switching to paperboard canisters. Our questions and answers from Vital Proteins (cited as "VP") follow.

Related:Paper’s the Star of Dole’s Frozen Food Packaging Redesign

What is the shelf life of the new packaging and how does that compare to the previous package?

VP: The shelf life of the paper-based canister is three years, which is the optimal length to maintain product freshness while maintaining the high fiber content of the packaging. Shelf life ultimately varies by product variety, and these numbers are specific to our Unflavored Collagen Peptides. The shelf life of this product variety as sold in the plastic canister is five years.

You say the new package is an 80% paperboard canister. What is the other 20%?

VP: The remaining materials in the paper-based canister are plastics—but for good reason. They are required to hold together and label the product, specifically leveraged in the barrier and sealant (15%), foil (4%), and inks and varnishes (1%). Percentages are approximate and vary by canister size.   

Three years of R&D went into the new paper-based canister. What were the biggest challenges in making this switch and why? How did you solve them?

VP: Being the first collagen brand to introduce a paper-based canister afforded Vital Proteins a blank canvas. Developing a canister that utilized Forest Stewardship Council-certified fiber as the primary material for the base, body, and lid was entirely new to the brand. It was important to ensure the new tub would feel as premium as the collagen inside—and the Vital Proteins team went to great lengths to make this possible.

To ensure the final product was something that met people’s needs and would be a seamless transition from current product offerings, Vital Proteins sought consumer feedback at every stage of development. In addition, the unique, patented lid that can maintain its ovular shape was the result of many revisions—specifically focused on aesthetics and an analysis of how people would interact with the new canister. What resulted is key in how the new canister is able to withstand leaks, unintentional spills, and other everyday life events. Lastly, to minimize scuffing to the paper-based tub during distribution, Vital Proteins needed to develop a unique varnish application process. Even in the event of a minor cosmetic flaw to the exterior of a canister, contents inside can be safely consumed, given the extensive testing Vital Proteins has in place to ensure product durability and freshness.

Did this packaging switch require changes on the packaging line? If so, what were the changes?

VP: Yes. Vital Proteins is proud to have engineered two new production lines specifically to support the transition to the new paper-based packaging.

Are you creating the paperboard canisters from flat paperboard stock online just prior to filling?

VP: Canister components now arrive flat to Vital Proteins manufacturing facilities, and the Vital Proteins production team forms the 3D canister at the beginning of production. The brand has already found significant efficiencies with inbound logistics by receiving all canister components flat. 

You say you’ll be 100% free of scoops across your entire portfolio by the end of 2025. Are you replacing them with something else?

VP: Eliminating the plastic scoops from the Vital Proteins portfolio was an initial step in the brand’s journey to reducing its plastic footprint. Like the new paper-based canister, this transition has been rolled out over time across collagen peptides product varieties and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. 

In conjunction with phasing out the plastic scoops, Vital Proteins has helped to educate consumers on daily dosage equivalencies using common household measurements (tablespoons) and features serving guidelines on all of its products.

Vital Proteins Unflavored Collagen Peptides is the first product variety to roll out in the new paper-based packaging and is now available in a 24-ounce canister in club stores for $36.99. Beginning this month, a 20-oz paper-based canister will be available for $47.00 at national retailers where the product is currently sold. Prices may vary by retailer. 

A how-to video offers step-by-step consumer instructions on how to open and close the new packaging can be found on a dedicated webpage at the Vital Proteins website.